Thin composite coatings based on gelatin with inorganic nanoparticles

Abstract

A technique for the formation of gelatin thin films and composite coatings with silicon dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles by spin coating has been developed. New data of the morphology and structural characteristics of the formed gelatin and nanocomposite films were obtained by atomic force microscopy. The dependences of the roughness parameters of composite coatings on the content of silicon dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in the polymer matrix are presented. It has been shown that the introduction of inorganic nanoparticles into the gelatin structure makes it possible to form nanocomposites with a rough surface. It has been established that the silicon dioxide nanoparticles incorporation leads to hydrophobization of the surface of polymer-inorganic films based on gelatin. Modification with zinc oxide nanoparticles (up to 8 mg per 1 mg of gelatin) improves the wettability of nanocomposite coatings with water.